More than 700 birders on 24 teams participated in Bird-a-thon 2016 this May, recording a total of 270 species of birds. That’s only 1 species away from the Bird-a-thon all-time best total of 271 species in 2009!
Highlighted below are some notable sightings as determined by Wayne Petersen, Director, Important Bird Area Program. (See the master list of species recorded.)
- Dickcissel via Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren/Flickr
- American Golden Plover via Tom Benson/Flickr
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron
- Sandhill Crane
- King Rail via Carol Foil/Flickr
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Common Murre via Rachid H/Flickr
- Blackheaded Gull via Nosferah/Flickr
- Little Gull via Tom Benson/Flickr
- White-faced Ibis Harry Liggett
- Red-headed Woodpecker by Ken Lee
- Hudsonian Godwit
The birding may be over, but you can still support Bird-a-thon by making a donation to your favorite team or participant. Bird-a-thon is Mass Audubon’s largest fundraiser, providing important support to wildlife sanctuaries and programs across the state. See Bird-a-thon 2016 results and award winners